pellet stove furnace (
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Pellet stoves can be used as a second heating source or, with proper venting, a primary heating option. They are available as freestanding models as well as fireplace inserts. They can give the appearance of a traditional wood-burning fire.
The auger carries pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber where they are burned to create heat. Sensors are used to monitor the fire and adjust its rate of operation to ensure your desired room temperature.
1. Energy Efficiency
good pellet stoves stoves burn renewable, non-toxic fuel made of compressed sawdust wood chips, bark and other materials that are typically dumped in landfills, but can be turned into a clean and efficient source of heating. They help homeowners reduce their energy use and therefore greenhouse gas emissions. Many owners of pellet stoves have reported that they've recouped their initial investment within just a few years through lower heating bills.
Pellets are more dense and compressed than natural wood, which makes them more efficient in burning. They also produce less creosote than traditional wood-burning fires. Additionally, they are packaged in plastic bags that seal out moisture and need less frequent cleaning.
Pellet stoves, just like other heating systems need to be properly vented and sized. A skilled technician can assess your venting and space requirements to ensure the most efficient results.
When the installation is completed the hearth is constructed according to your specifications, and the vent is inserted through an opening that is cut into the exterior of your home. The vent is then placed on the side wall or the roof, based on your preference and the local regulations.
Once the vent and hearth are completed the pellet stove can be plugged in. Some manufacturers provide a remote control that makes starting and maintaining the fire simple, while others have additional sensors that monitor airflow, combustion, flue temperature, and pressure. If the system determines that it requires more pellets or less, it signals to the auger that it needs to speed up or slow it down according to the need.
Each stove comes with an hopper for storage that can hold from 35 to 130 pounds of pellets until they're needed. Hopper capacities determine how often the stove will need to be filled and
Pellet Stove Furnace larger hoppers allow for longer periods between refills. A grille pulls air from the room, then passes it over the heat exchanger and blows heated air in the living area through convection. A grate, auger or another device distributes the pellets, and a pan below will collect any pellets that are not burned and also any combustion remnants.
Although pellet stoves are more efficient than wood-burning stoves, they're not as efficient as natural gas furnaces or electric heaters. Electric components that drive motorized components of stoves require electricity. This could pose a problem in a power outage, though backup systems such as batteries and generators are available.
2. Low Maintenance
Pellet stoves can be extremely efficient, however they require some maintenance in order to function properly. Cleaning your stove and its exhaust vent regularly will prevent the buildup of dangerous creosote that could lead to a fire or an explosion that could damage your stove and/or house.
A pellet stove is made up of compressed natural particles (such as kernels, nutshells of corn or
tiny pellet stove pieces of scrapwood) made from wood or other substances. An electric auger is used to feed the fuel pellets from a container into the burner and into the combustion chamber. The speed at which pellets are pumped into the burner is controlled by the thermostat you set. The fire can be kept roaring, or it can be modulated lower and even extinguished depending on the temperature you set. When the fire is out, the ash is dropped into an empty ash tray underneath the burner. It can then be easily removed and disposed of.
Pellets are made from byproducts that would have been discarded during the process of processing lumber. They are a renewable resource and emit far less particulates into the air than traditional wood-burning stoves making them a cleaner burning heat source. The amount of carbon monoxide, carcinogens and other harmful chemicals released from
best pellet stove stoves are also much lower than the newer EPA certified wood stoves.
Because of the low emissions, these appliances are not required to be vented through a chimney like traditional wood stoves, but they must be properly vented through a wall or another external structure. Pellet stoves are equipped with flue ports that are located on the rear or top of the appliance. They are connected to a ventpipe which extends out from the house.
One disadvantage of pellet stoves is that you need to purchase or store enough pellets to last the winter time. Pellet stove owners typically consume three tons of wood pellets each winter, which is a cost of $200 per ton. The costs can increase over time, but it is cheaper than purchasing and transporting firewood for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or stove. Make sure you buy enough pellets to ensure your stove will last through the coldest months and that you have the right place to store the pellets (preferably cool, dry and away from the ground).
3. Reduce carbon footprint
Pellet stoves use renewable biomass fuels to generate heat, which reduces the need for fossil fuels that are depleted. This reduces carbon footprints and diversifies the sources of energy for homes.
Even the latest wood stoves that are EPA certified emit considerably less carbon dioxide than pellet stoves. The emissions of pellet stoves are also lower than those from gas furnaces. Pellets are made of compressed sawdust, bark and other lumber waste. They can also comprise various other materials like soybeans, corn, nutshells, cherry pits and agricultural waste. When burned, they emit fewer particulates (leading to respiratory problems and allergies) carcinogens and carbon monoxide as well as nitrous oxides.
The major difference between the wood stove and the pellet stove is the feed system. Pellet stoves are equipped with hoppers to store the pellets. When the thermostat or sensors signal that the room is in need of heating, the furnace turns. The pellets are put into the combustion chamber and burn to generate heat. The combustion chamber flows through a heat exchanger which transfers the heat to the blower and out into the room. This results in extremely low emissions and no creosote accumulation.
After the hopper has been empty, the ash is removed by a cyclone, and it is then deposited into an ash container. The stove also has a fan to circulate the warm, clean air into the living space. Most pellet stoves require minimal maintenance and feature a large viewing area for you and your family members to relax and enjoy the flames.
The most significant factor affecting emissions from stoves made of pellets is the quality of the pellets. Poor-quality pellets produce more emissions. When selecting your pellets, make sure they're certified to meet certain standards and do not contain other ingredients such as petroleum or urea. Find a business that has a guarantee and will replace or repair parts in the event of a problem. If you're looking for an even greener approach, some states allow homeowners to get a tax credit when installing pellet stoves. This is a great way to reduce the initial cost of this type of stove and make it easier to install.
4. Reduced Noise
Pellet stoves generate very little smoke and emissions in comparison to wood burning fireplaces. They also utilize an electric fan to distribute heat more evenly across the space. This is the reason why pellet stoves require less maintenance than wood stoves.
